Creation of ‘Vertical’ Spaces in UPM: Here’s what you need to know about UP Manila’s Master Development Plan
By Joanna Honasan and Rochel M. Floron IV
With a theme centered around ‘delivering on time, on budget, and on quality infrastructure projects,’ the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) under the leadership of Chancellor Carmencita Padilla managed to work around the limited space available in the campus by maximizing ‘vertical’ spaces.
From 2014 to 2023, the administration of Padilla built 180 total infrastructures in all of the UP Manila colleges and units, incurring a total cost of PHP 895,289,122.74, with 34 ongoing projects that cost PHP 1,477,184,715.67, and incoming 41 projects costing at PHP 1,336,382,308.81.
On the other hand, UPM Vice Chancellor for Planning & Development Michael Tee reported that the two prevailing reasons for project extensions and suspensions are change order and unworkable days due to site unavailability. Delays due to unaccomplished works are mostly due to outsource and project delays, as well as the unavailability of materials. Moreover, the most challenging aspect of these projects is the delayed release of appropriate funding.
With this, here are the proposed and on-going infrastructure projects in UP Manila, as seen in the UPM Master Development Plan.
Proposed Buildings
Proposed Dormitory Building
One of the proposed buildings is the condominium-type dormitory building beside the current UPM Sport Science and Wellness Center (SSWC). With a total area of 46,059.14 sq. m, it has an 823 bedroom unit capacity, each unit housing a 24 sq. m room for two persons which will be available to UPM students, faculty, UP PGH staff, and concessionaires. No proposed dormitory rental fees yet, however this will depend on the agreed fund source and procurement mode by the UP System and UP Manila. According to the UPM Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD), the biggest hurdle for this project is the availability of funding, but upon complete funding, the construction period may occur for one to two years.
Proposed Dr. Stephen Zuellig Hall
The proposed 10,519.59 sq. m Dr. Stephen Zuellig Hall will be built on the current College of Public Health (CPH) Annex 1 and 2, which shall house 13 faculty rooms and offices, seven conference rooms, three multipurpose rooms, two student centers, four large classrooms, four small classrooms, four computer rooms, and 11 laboratories.
However, one concern regarding this project is the demolition of the CPH Annex 1 and 2 classrooms which have been holding both CPH and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) classes this academic year. In response, the OVCPD mentioned that once the contract implementation of the Zuellig building begins, the UPM and CPH admin shall identify possible locations for the transfer of the CPH annex classrooms and offices. While the contract has not yet been awarded to an appropriate contractor and there is no available demolition permit yet, the classrooms and offices of the CPH Annex building remain to be available for use.
Despite these plans, the OVCPD mentioned that the largest challenge in the project is the release of funding from both donations and government funds. Once settled, the proposed 270-day first construction phase shall begin, but future phases remain to be funding-dependent.
Ongoing Constructions
Medical Science Building, College of Medicine
Also known as the 8,087 sq. m College of Medicine Henry Sy Sr. Hall, this building currently holds dry simulation classrooms, research laboratories, 82 rooms, two multipurpose rooms, two auditoriums, and one special events hall, with a grand lobby and portico. Although mainly complete, the interior fitting of the 8th, 9th, and 11th floors are still on-going which is targeted to be completed by November 2023.
The funding for this project is mainly sourced from the UP Medical Alumni Foundation (UPMAF) donations, however the UP system funds are used for the interior fit-out of the 8th, 9th, and 11th floors. In addition, the bidding and implementation of the requested additional building requirements is until July 2024. The main challenges in completing the building are the corresponding architectural and engineering utility adjustments due to the revised layout of the 8th, 9th, and 11th floors.
Although the UPCM administers the Medical Science Building, they also contracted a building facilities management third party service provider to maintain the building. Moreover, should the students or other entities rent an area in the building, rental fees are still currently subject to approval by the UP Manila Fiscal Policies and Operations Committee (UPM FPOC).
University Library
Right in front of the Medical Sciences Building is the on-going construction of the UP Manila University Library, with a total area of 15,085.65 sq. m. It shall hold 18 faculty offices with pantries, seven classrooms with a 50-student capacity, four group thesis rooms, three computer rooms, six discussion rooms, three multipurpose rooms, an open lobby, and nine common areas for the students’ perusal. The classrooms in the University Library are aimed to be used for General Education (GE) classes. Moreover, the building shall also have a student center, reading area, memorabilia room, recording room, gender room, VR room, and media class viewing room.
The three-phase project is sourced from government funding, which is also one of the challenges in building completion due to delayed release of funds. Currently, the building is undergoing its Phase 1 construction to be accomplished by 2023. Meanwhile, Phase 2 is in contract preparation stage within 365 calendar days, and Phase 3 is in the design preparation phase to be submitted by August 2023 for bidding purposes. The funding for the interior fit-out of the University Library is not yet available.
Rental fees for the University Library rooms are not yet available, however these shall be calculated based on the space and utility consumption as approved by the UPM FPOC.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Building
The NIH building along the Pedro Gil side of UP Manila has a total area of 35,800 sq. m, which shall hold offices, research laboratories, auditorium, conference rooms, eating area or multifunction spaces, and a parking facility. Once completed, it shall house 15 existing institutes and centers, and may accommodate ten more. Furthermore, the NIH Admin Complex and the NIH Business Office shall have laboratories available for rental, whose fees shall be calculated based on the room space and utility consumption as per approved by the UPM FPOC.
The sources of funding for the project are both government funds and donations. The Phase 1 construction is to be completed by 2023, while Phases 2 and 3 are currently in the design preparation stages. According to the OVCPD, the main challenge for the completion of all construction projects in UP Manila is the prompt release of the appropriate funding, which sets the construction calendar of the project.
PGH Extension Buildings and CAS Construction Updates
As of writing, pertinent details about the proposed Parking Building/Back The House/Medical Records Building, Dietary Building/Offices Building, Proposed Cancer Center PPP Buildings, as well as the on-going PGH Multi-Specialty Building are not yet available as the publication is yet to receive the response of the PGH Office of the Director for additional details about the infrastructures of the hospital.
Regarding student concerns on the on-going constructions in Rizal Hall, The Manila Collegian shall release updates via dissecting the issue in an in-depth article since it will require an intensive discussion of problems surrounding financial matters and the integrity of the 100-year old historical building.
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